Madley Pre-School

Growing seeds, caring for a guinea pig and working out how to make dough gave Madley Pre-School's June 2023 day a practical character. Small responsibilities mattered: children looked after belongings and helped prepare fruit for snack. These were opportunities to practise independence alongside conversation and problem-solving.

At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received good support. Madley Pre-School has 24 places in total; the children attending in June 2023 were aged two to four.

In June 2023, the pre-school occupied a purpose-built unit within the grounds of Madley Primary School. Its framework was the early years foundation stage, covering children's learning, development and care: here, play and everyday tasks gave children opportunities to practise language, counting and independence.

During that month, dough-making involved deciding how much flour to add, with staff allowing children time to answer questions. Action rhymes linked movement with new vocabulary, while words and sounds supported children whose speech was emerging. Learning had concrete starting points.

In June 2023, children played with water and sand, grew plants from seeds and helped care for the guinea pig. Community outings included a church and an environmental centre. These experiences connected learning with living things and places beyond the pre-school.

In June 2023, communication with families combined conversations at collection and drop-off, photographs in online learning records and end-of-term discussions with each child's key person. Parents could also look through their child's learning journey book. Staff assessed children's development and used that information to plan subsequent activities.

The June 2023 inspection identified two improvements: giving parents fuller information about children's next learning steps, and expanding experiences that helped children recognise and express emotions. Both matter beyond the setting, because families need useful guidance for learning at home and children need words for difficult feelings.

During June 2023, staff worked with families and other professionals around children's additional needs. After lunch, cushions, quiet music and breathing offered a daily rest routine. Children also practised hygiene and took responsibility for their possessions, bringing care and independence into ordinary activities.

The address is Madley School, Madley, Hereford, HR2 9PH. In June 2023, attendance ran Monday to Friday in term time, with three weeks of summer-holiday opening; session times were 8.30am to 3.30pm. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four at that time.

The June 2023 setting occupied school grounds. Attending the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Learning at home. June 2023 brought a request for fuller guidance on children's next steps. Ask how that guidance now reaches families and what it helps them do at home.
• Talking about feelings. Broader emotional vocabulary was another June 2023 improvement point. Ask for examples of how staff now help children describe their feelings.
• Attendance pattern. The June 2023 timetable combined term-time sessions with three summer-holiday weeks. Ask which current booking pattern would cover your family's childcare needs.

Madley Pre-School's June 2023 account will interest parents who value practical learning and everyday independence. Its June 2023 picture included animal care, gardening and community outings, alongside a Good judgement. The two improvement points give families useful questions about communication and emotional development when considering it today.